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How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide by [Goldfarb, Aaron]
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How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide Kindle Edition

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4.2 out of 5 stars 82 customer reviews
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Length: 383 pages Word Wise: Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"How to Fail is reminiscent of a classic that raised eyebrows sixty years ago: J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye." --Len Edgerly, The Kindle Chronicles

"Goldfarb's satire turns the genre on its ear...warps it like a fun-house mirror, to hysterical effect. Piss-yourself funny." --The Philadelphia Lawyer, Happy Hour is for Amateurs

"This is like the Bible for screwing up, except a little moreawesome. Would that make Aaron Goldfarb a prophet for failures? We'dlike to think so." --Jason Diamond, editor, Jewcy

"I was so deep into How to Fail one night, that I missed my subway stop on the way home. It's THAT good." --Murphguide

"A sharp little satire." --Three Guys One Book

"[Makes you feel] like the author is your new best friend." --NY Press

About the Author

Aaron Goldfarb is the author of the satirical novel How to Fail:  The Self-Hurt Guide, the world's first self-hurt guide, the opposite of aself-help guide. He also has a short story collection about the sexes, sex,and sexiness in New York, The Cheat Sheet, and a collection of essays called Drunk Drinking.

Visit him at aarongoldfarb.com, chat with him at aaron@aarongoldfarb.com, or follow him on twitter.com/aarongoldfarb

Product Details

  • File Size: 654 KB
  • Print Length: 383 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0982941102
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publication Date: November 9, 2010
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004AYCUFA
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray:
  • Word Wise: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,913 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsSurprised How Much I Enjoyed This!
By Libby Cobert on December 2, 2010
Format: Paperback
Goldfarb's book is one of the most pleasant surprises I've read in a while - I'm so glad a friend put it in my hands. I couldn't put it down! I read it in two days and then a week later decided to read it again.

The last "dude" book I was convinced to read was Tucker Max's "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell," which I admittedly enjoyed (though I might deny that in person). While this book does fall into the same category based on the narrator's playboy attitude and acerbic tone, "How To Fail" is funnier, sweeter and actually a bit insightful. Also, I loved that it was one narrative as opposed to a compilation of vignettes. The protaganist in "How to Fail" is a somewhat lovable/somewhat hatable character, but his story and experiences are relatable and shockingly honest.

For girls, if you like Chelsea Handler's kind of humor, you'll really dig this too. Guys, you either know this guy or you are this guy, and either way will find the story hilarious to read. Highly recommended. (That is, recommended for those who are comfortable with swearing and explicitly detailed romantic encounters - don't give it to your grandma.)
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5.0 out of 5 starsSexy comedy!
By annie hallway on January 8, 2011
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I got this book for Christmas and I was like, "WTF?" It looked kind of stupid and childish, and, you know what? It was. But it was also hilarious. One of the funniest books I've ever read. I'd finished it before my vacation weekend was over. I've read and enjoyed other "fratire" books by Tucker Max, Aaron Karo, and Maddox, but "How to Fail" is my favorite so far. It had a sweet core that the other lacked. And it's smart too. So I'd recommend it to any one looking for a good, smart laugh that's a quick read too.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThere Are No Vampires in This Book
By M. Zambotti on December 16, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
My wife reads about a hundred books a year. They're all basically the same book- vampires eating warewolves or witches
trying to find love or something like that. Even the covers look the same. Sometimes she even reads a book she's already read by accident. Maybe she's crazy. Or maybe the bulk of books out there are bland, unmemorable bowls of oatmeal. How to Fail is NOT a book you'll forget you read.

I was first introduced to the author through his blog (theviceblog.com) as I was searching for beer reviews. Most beer review sites consisted of a pretentious dude who tasted 20-30 different things in every beer. They were all the same- 'cept for The Vice Blog- it had a crazy way of mixing a beer review with some real life anecdote. It was original and I spent about three hours one night (after a few fine ales, natch) browsing the "Best Of" page. How to Fail is the same thing- Original. It has a feel to it like your buddy is telling you hilarious stories over beers at the local watering hole. But beyond the humor and cynicism is some really good observations about life and human nature. It actually gives you some things to think about.

If you want to read a book that's exactly like the last one you read maybe How to Fail isn't for you. But if you want something that's memorable and different, pick up a copy.
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2.0 out of 5 starsStill not sure....
By gmt on October 10, 2012
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
wavered between two and three stars for this book. I finished it, but was not sure after reading the ending, if I should have. Another book that I am very glad was a free download. Don't know if I would have wanted to pay for it. It had some very funny parts, but most of it jumped around too much. The sexual descriptions and language were quite vulgar. If you don't like crudeness, don't ready this book!
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5.0 out of 5 starsHilarious, yet intelligent, ... a must read satire on life!!
By New York City Baby Boomer on January 9, 2011
Format: Paperback
Hilarious, yet intelligent, ... a must read satire on life

I have not read a book quite like this one, and was pleasantly surprised at how different, yet funny and intelligent a book "How to Fail" is, inspite of all it's foul language. I did not want to put it down even when I finished it. It's as if Goldfarb is taking possible real life situations of his own life, and putting the narrating main character, Stu, even deeper into those hilarious circumstances. Having lived in New York City many years, and being in a professional job, yet struggling to live a good life, I particularly enjoyed his detailing explicit lists of what neighbors, landlords, and apartments in New York are often like for many. Again, I found myself thoroughly enjoying Stu's humorous take on living in the big city. I also found the chapter on how to fail your parents quite enlightening and incredibly funny. I could go on and on, and talk about the many other hilarious chapters about Stu's work and love life; just get the book. You will love it.
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3.0 out of 5 starsPretty funny, worth 2 bucks
By Robert Fately on June 17, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
While shuffling through an Amazon listing of Kindle books "on sale", I was intrigued by the title of this little bit of fluff, and must say it was a fun read. By pointing out the horrible anti-social actions and attitudes he had post-college by way of demonstrating how to mess up every aspect of his life (all the while feeling he was "free-er" as a result of his irresponsible ways) the protagonist might, one hopes, make the reader think twice about his or her lack of a job/home/personal hygienic habits as a badge of honor. Sort of a reverse psychology, approach, I guess.

Again, as a bit of brain candy to read between heavier tomes, and for the price, it was worth it.
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4.0 out of 5 starsBrutal, Edgy and Heroic
By Pop Bop TOP 500 REVIEWER on October 17, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
There are lots of books out there by authors who profess to be failures at something - life, love, work, commitment, you name it. Some are rueful, some wry, the funnier ones have an engaging self-deprecating air to them. But, most of those books are built around either or both of the following tendencies: a thirty something need to appear as lame as possible, or an inability to disguise the fact that the author is actually pretty darn impressed with himself. Where the need to portray oneself as an incompetent doofus comes from, I don't know. But it wears thin pretty quickly as entertainment, if it wears at all. As to the false modesty boys, well how much time do you spend with the ones you know like that in real life?

The beauty of this book is that the author isn't just working a doofus "bit", or playing at being a failure. He has looked long and hard at the world around him and he is not encouraged. And he has turned what he has seen into brutal, funny and telling commentary on his and our current state. There are terrific one-liners, throwaway observations, set pieces, and descriptions. This is very smart, accomplished stuff, not just frat boy humor or tales of drunken excess. And get this, beneath it all there is a bit of sweetness and fundamental decency that makes the acerbic commentary all the more telling. What a remarkably successful failure.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

So funny and true

Published 3 months ago by Juan A. Portillo
4.0 out of 5 starsIf you wanna feel good about yourself...

I gave this book a four star rating because I love sarcasm and it's a good lazy read. Though I feel dirt had too many characters.

Published 16 months ago by z.filtx
4.0 out of 5 starsHilarious

Couldn't put it down. Self deprecating humor with sincerity. An oblique commentary on modern life. Made me think about my own life. Looking forward to reading more from him.

Published 18 months ago by Flax man
3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

ok

Published 19 months ago by Falnhalo
4.0 out of 5 starsNot a failed book

Overall this was a good book. It had a nice voice to it that helps add to the humor. I only say 4 stars though because there were a few parts that were pretty slow. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Owlwithaplan
3.0 out of 5 starsTalented Writer

I am still very undecided about this book, but have gone for a three star review. I found Stu to be incredibly annoying and not actually a failure. Read more

Published on October 5, 2014 by Avid Reader 637
2.0 out of 5 starsporn

Started out great. 1st third was hilarious then it descended into pornography, why I don't know.

Published on July 20, 2014 by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsDon't quit too early!

A couple of chapters in, I wanted to delete this book and wish its snarky doofus of a narrator an unfond farewell. But I'm glad I didn't. Read more

Published on July 15, 2014 by Ray Anselmo
5.0 out of 5 starsNot a How to, but nice book

I was expecting a satirical How to book, but instead got a good comedy. Would recommend to people who want a light and fun read.

Published on March 19, 2014 by Gustavo Pires
4.0 out of 5 starsa slap to the face

this book is for people who buy 'self help' books over and over and then do nothing with them. i enjoyed his cander and 'this is what i did go the other way' type style

Published on February 21, 2014 by Lisa J

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